Our Story

born from disconnection, loss, and the longing for more.

From pain to purpose

EMI is a not-for-profit collective built so men can remember who they are, find safety in brotherhood, and step into their masculine leadership.

The origin story

Created in response to the cultural crisis men are facing

After losing friends to suicide, we recognised the urgent need for spaces where men can be vulnerable, supported, and reconnected - to themselves, to each other, and to life.

EMI exists to prevent further loss and to help men feel whole, live with purpose, and find brotherhood - for the betterment of themselves, their families, their communities, and society.

Our vision

Train 500 facilitators.

Impact 10,000+ men through the Academy.

Build a physical retreat centre, a “home” for men’s work.

Partner with communities, organisations, and families to redefine healthy masculinity for generations to come.

this is a movement

A mission to restore healthy masculine culture

Leadership Team

Jacob oneilll

Co-Founder & Lead Facilitator

Jacob O’Neill is a seasoned men’s coach, mentor and facilitator passionately devoted to guiding men into lives of depth, purpose, and authentic leadership. Immersed in men’s work, rites of passage, grounded spirituality and embodied presence, Jacob brings a powerful blend of lived experience and intuitive structure to his work — helping men clear mental noise, open their hearts, and reconnect with the innate power of their own lives.

As the founder of The Gathering of Men, one of Australia’s largest and most impactful men’s retreats — Jacob has helped hundreds of men step into greater freedom, resilience and relational integrity. He designs and holds space that moves beyond intellectual insight into felt transformation, so that men can lead with conviction, love deeply and serve with humility.

Jacob’s facilitation is delivered from the body, rooted in presence, somatic awareness and emotional courage. Enabling men to feel safe, seen and empowered to do the inner work that catalyses lasting growth. He believes deeply in reinstating healthy masculine culture and creating communities where men can be real, responsible and connected.

RYAN barraclough

Co-Founder & Lead Facilitator

Ryan Barraclough is a therapist, coach, writer and mentor dedicated to supporting men to live with purpose, connection and psychological wholeness. Drawing on deep study in philosophy, embodiment practices, nature-based systems and therapeutic modalities, Ryan creates frameworks and experiences that help people understand who they are, align with what matters, and build thriving relationships.

At the core of Ryan’s work is a belief that genuine fulfilment arises not from fixing problems, but from reconnecting with the inherent intelligence of the body, the quiet guidance of presence, and the deeper truths found in lived experience.

Ryan’s personal journey includes high-performance sport, existential exploration, and an ongoing commitment to understanding both the challenges and potentials of the human condition. Through this wide spectrum of lived experience and study, he has developed a reputation for making complex concepts accessible and deeply relevant to everyday life.

Outside his work, Ryan values presence with his partner, family, nature and community, living into the philosophical principles he teaches and modelling what it looks like to bring spiritual depth into everyday life.

Our Core Values

Embodiment

True self-leadership is cultivated only through embodied experiences.

Self Leadership

Men are encouraged to take full responsibility for their inner world, behaviour, and impact.

Emotional Honesty

We value hard truths and the willingness to face discomfort in service of growth.

Initiation

EMI honours rites of passage, challenge, reflection, and integration as essential components of healthy masculine development.

Brotherhood

EMI values authentic male community as a corrective to isolation, disconnection, and silent suffering — fostering brotherhood built on respect, accountability, and shared purpose.

Integrity

While the work goes deep, it is held with care, boundaries, and ethical responsibility. EMI values trauma-aware facilitation, consent, and professional integrity